Recently, the hustle and bustle of the city has become unbearable. When working from home, the sound of construction outside and the honking of cars on the street constantly interrupt my thoughts.
I know that a pair of high-quality noise-cancelling headphones is a priority for me. Among the many headset brands, Bose is already a household name, but I still have many questions, the most pressing of which is: do Bose headphones have noise-cancelling capabilities?
One weekend, I went into a café hoping to work quietly, but the chatter of the customers and the noise of the coffee machine disrupted my plans. At that moment, I remembered the Bose headphones and quickly took out my phone to search online.
What attracted me was the Bose QuietComfort headphones, which had an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and 1010 reviews.
- I couldn’t wait to click on the link to find out more, and discovered that the headphones have a classic and comfortable design, legendary noise cancellation and high-fidelity audio.
- With a battery life of up to 24 hours, they are perfect for every situation in life, whether it’s the daily commute, a long trip or relaxing at home.
- Thinking about being surrounded by silence, I placed my order without hesitation.
Activating noise cancellation mode
A few days later, my long-awaited headphones finally arrived. I excitedly unwrapped them and put them on, but then I realised a problem – how do I activate the noise cancelling function? I fiddled around for a while before remembering the information I had researched earlier.
- To switch between Quiet Mode and Awareness Mode, you need to press the control button on the back of the left ear cup. Each press triggers an audio prompt announcing the selected noise cancelling mode.
- You can also operate it via the Bose app, which is very convenient.
- I followed the instructions and quickly operated the headphones, and the annoying noise in the café immediately disappeared. I was so excited that I almost shouted out loud, feeling as if I had opened a magical door to a world of tranquillity.
Troubleshooting noise cancellation
Once, I was taking the subway to work as usual, immersed in my own world, when suddenly the sounds around me flooded back in, as if the noise cancellation function had completely failed. I was very alarmed and thought to myself: why had my Bose headphones stopped cancelling out the noise?
- I quickly searched online for a solution and found that I could use the Bose Connect app to check the noise cancellation mode.
- Since there are three noise cancellation modes to choose from – High, Low and Off – it was possible that it had been set to Low or Off by mistake.
- I quickly opened the app to check, and sure enough, it had been set to Low by mistake. I quickly switched it back to High, and the familiar silence returned. I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that it was just a false alarm.
Noise cancellation test without music
One weekend morning, I wanted to sleep in, but the birdsong outside and the noise from the street kept getting into my ears. Suddenly, an idea occurred to me: Could Bose headphones cancel out noise without playing music?
- I put on the headphones and played no music. As a result, external noise was significantly reduced. It turns out that all active noise cancellation headphones can cancel out external noise even without playing any sound.
- However, some headphones can cause ear pressure or ear heat, which can be uncomfortable after prolonged use.
- Bose headphones are excellent in this regard. I slept comfortably with them on.
Trying to enhance the noise reduction effect
Although the noise reduction effect of Bose headphones is already very good, I am a perfectionist, so I still want to know: how can I improve the noise reduction function of Bose?
- One day, the sound of my colleagues’ discussions in the office distracted me a little. I suddenly remembered that the arrow buttons on the side of the control panel can adjust the noise reduction level from 1 (lowest) to 12 (highest).
- I quickly turned it up, and the voices of my colleagues were immediately cut off, allowing me to focus on my work again.
Beats vs. Bose
When choosing headphones, I also struggled between Beats and Bose. At a friend’s party, I borrowed my friend’s Beats headphones to try them on and found that Bose has many advantages after comparison:
Excellent noise reduction
Bose is known for its industry-leading noise reduction technology, which can effectively isolate external noise in noisy environments. For example, on the subway, wearing Bose headphones, you can hardly hear the rumble of the train, while Beats, although also equipped with noise reduction, still leaks some noise.
Comfort and quality
Bose headphones are very comfortable and durable, suitable for frequent daily use. I can wear Bose headphones all day without feeling uncomfortable, while Beats headphones can cause ear pain after prolonged use.
Balanced sound
Bose’s sound signature is more neutral and balanced, performing well across a wide range of music genres. When listening to classical music, Bose clearly reproduces the sound of each instrument, while Beats has strong bass but lacks in terms of classical music performance.
Ideal for travel
Bose’s excellent noise cancellation and comfortable wearing experience make them the first choice for frequent travellers. A colleague who travels a lot praised the Bose headphones, saying they can rest quietly on the plane.
App functions
Bose headphones usually come with an app for sound customisation. I can adjust the sound to my preferences, which is very convenient.
Confirming the noise cancellation function
After receiving the headphones, I was always worried about whether the noise cancellation function was working properly. I wondered: how do I know if my Bose noise cancellation is working properly?
- One time, while taking a walk in the park, I suddenly wanted to make sure that the noise cancellation function was working properly. I remembered that it might be helpful to check if ‘Perception Mode’ (transparent mode) was activated.
- In full noise cancellation mode, the green noise cancellation LED indicator will light up, and ‘Perception Mode’ can be switched on and off by pressing the button on the side of the volume control housing.
- I pressed the button, saw the green LED light up, switched to transparent mode, and clearly heard the birds chirping. At this point, I was convinced that the noise reduction function had been working all along.
A wide selection of noise-canceling headphones
Of course, Bose is not the only brand of excellent noise-canceling headphones. I have also learned about some other excellent products:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones with Spatial Audio: $429. A friend who is an audiophile recommended these headphones to me. He said the spatial audio effect is particularly good, making you feel like you are at a live concert.
- Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: $150, a 25% discount from the original price of $200. Many online reviews praise its value for money and good noise-cancelling effect.
- Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise-cancelling headphones: $289. I tried these headphones in the store and they have good sound quality and noise cancellation, but I still find the Bose more comfortable.
- Apple AirPods: up to $449. Many people who use iPhones use AirPods, and they say that the product pairs perfectly with Apple devices and is very convenient to use.
- Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian – Dune: $350. They look really stylish, but I still prefer the Bose when it comes to noise cancellation and sound quality.
- Despite the many options, I still really like my Bose headphones.
The reason why I can still hear sounds
Sometimes, I can still hear some sounds when wearing my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, which makes me feel confused: why can I still hear sounds when wearing Bose noise-cancelling headphones?
- Once, while walking, I suddenly heard a shrill alarm sound. I wondered why I could still hear it with the noise-cancelling headphones on. I later learned that active and passive noise-cancelling technology can block most sounds, but it is not foolproof.
- High-pitched sounds, such as alarm sounds and human voices, may still be heard, but at a much lower volume.
- Upon further thought, this is actually a safety feature that allows me to enjoy the quiet while not missing important sounds.
The difference between Bose QuietComfort and Ultra
When choosing Bose headphones, I also compared the Bose QuietComfort and Ultra. What is the difference between them?
- I asked the staff at the Bose store, but he wasn’t sure either, except to say that the Ultra may have some technical upgrades.
- Due to the lack of comprehensive information, I was more hesitant to buy them, but in the end I chose the QuietComfort, considering the reputation and price.
Troubleshooting the sudden loss of noise-cancelling function
There was another time when the noise-cancelling function suddenly stopped working. I was studying in a library, which was very quiet, but I suddenly heard someone flipping pages and whispering. I quickly checked and found that ensuring the headphones are worn correctly is crucial.
- If there is too much space between the earbuds and your ears, the noise-cancelling function may not work properly.
- I adjusted the position of the earbuds and reattached the headphones, and the noise immediately disappeared. I was relieved to have found the problem.
Choosing between the Bose 700 and the Bose QuietComfort
I was also torn between the Bose 700 and the Bose QuietComfort. I read many online reviews:
- the 700 headphones are of better build quality, have more comprehensive microphone performance and touch controls, while the QuietComfort has button controls, depending on personal preference.
- However, the QuietComfort headphones are more comfortable, foldable and have stronger active noise cancellation.
- I tried them on in the store and the touch controls on the 700s are indeed responsive, but I prefer the button controls on the QuietComfort as they are simpler to operate and more comfortable to wear, so I prefer them.
How to activate the Bose noise cancellation function
As mentioned, to activate the noise cancelling function, you can press the Action button to switch between Quiet Mode and Aware Mode, or change the noise cancelling mode via the Bose app.
- When I arrived at the gym, the music and the noise of the equipment mixed together, making it unbearable. I wanted to switch to noise cancelling mode, but I forgot how to do it and was sweating in frustration.
- Then I remembered the ‘Action’ button and quickly pressed it. The world instantly became quiet, and I could enjoy my workout to the fullest, with only the music in my headphones.
Bose noise-cancelling headphones controls
Regarding how to control my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, in addition to switching between noise-cancelling modes, the buttons on the headphones and the app provide many other functions that are very convenient to use.
- Once, I wanted to answer the phone while driving, but didn’t want to take off my headphones. I used the buttons on the headphones to easily answer the call, so I could safely use the headphones while driving. This convenience further increased my love for the Bose headphones.
Conclusion
To make the most of the noise cancellation effect of the headphones, here are some practical methods:
(1) Make sure you wear them correctly
Try different sizes of earbuds to find the ones that fit your ears well and seal them tightly. At first, I chose the earbuds randomly, which resulted in poor noise cancellation. After trying various sizes, I found the most suitable earbuds, which greatly improved the noise cancellation effect.
(2) Try different noise cancellation modes
Choose the appropriate noise reduction mode according to the environment and your needs. On the subway, I use the ‘high’ mode; in the office, I use the ‘medium’ mode, which effectively blocks noise without missing important sounds.
(3) Test earplugs in different environments
to understand how they perform in different scenarios, so that I can use them more effectively. I tested them in the supermarket, the mall and other environments, and found that the earbuds performed slightly differently in each environment. Understanding these characteristics helps me make better use of the noise reduction function.
Tips for getting the best sound quality from headphones
In my experience, letting headphones ‘break in’ can help you get the best sound quality.
- Some headphones may sound harsh or too bright at first, but after a period of breaking in, the sound will become softer.
- Some people recommend using static or pink noise to break in headphones, but I have found that low-volume music has a similar effect. When I first got the headphones, the music sounded harsh. After breaking them in with low-volume music, the sound noticeably became softer and more pleasant, which made me more satisfied with the sound quality of the headphones.
If you’re always on the go, compact noise-cancelling earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds may be a better option.
- They fit easily in your pocket or bag and come with a handy charging case, so you won’t run out of power even in remote locations.
- I took these earbuds on a hiking trip once. During breaks, I put them in and was able to shut out the sounds of the wind and insects for a moment of peace and quiet. I was very satisfied with this convenience.